Good info on the Bridgestones -- I had Potenzas on a vehicle once and quite liked them.
Another issue I'm running into, is the tire size change on 2012's and newer -- they went from 175/50R15 to 185/60R15. The marketing folks claim that it offers better handing/feel. The new profile is slightly "lower", so cornering momentum could be (theoretically) better, but would it have more resistance and hit FE?
Speaking of taller/shorter -- if I start messing with tire sizing, is there a sweet spot to help with gearing, or just stick with OEM?
I came up with these calcs between the 2 OEM choices last night:
2010 OEM: 175/65R15
175mm/25.4 = 6.89" Wide.
Tire Height from Aspect Ratio: .65x6.89= 4.48" tall sidewall
EX Alloy Wheel Width = 5.5"
2012 OEM Comparator: 185/60R15
185mm/25.4 = 7.28" Wide (.39" Wider)
Tire Height from Aspect Ratio: .60x7.28 = 4.37" tall sidewall = .11" shorter sidewall than original, .22" height decrease overall diameter.
Change in Indicated Speed: 0.90% Faster... 60 MPH = 60.54 MPH
...so 1/4" total diameter decrease ~2/5" wider and -1/2 MPH change doesn't seem like much, but the sizing opens more doors...
The tiresizecalculator.info website offers possible combinations based on an initial input. Dragging the "Max Diameter Diff" to +/- 10% shows several sizes. The narrowest tire is:
155/60R15 (-6.82% / Faster Reading) 60MPH = 56.20 MPH
155mm/25.4 = 6.10" Wide -- AR = .60x6.10 = 3.66 tall sidewall ( 0.82" shorter sidewall, 1.64" shorter overall)
The Problem is that there aren't many choices in that size (no LRRs that I can see) I played with the numbers way too long yesterday and just complicated things
RH77